Ruchi Upadhyay , Jaswant Singh , Bajrang Singh

Abstract

The present study was undertaken in a moist deciduous forest of Indo-Gangetic plain to assess the species structure, population abundance and distribution pattern, regeneration status, diversity and dominance. Three sites selected on the basis of the disturbance gradient showed sequential differences in analytic characters. Population density decreased from 82 ha^-1 from site I to 486 ha^-1 in site III, where as basal area enhanced from 6.8 m² ha^-1 to 62.2 m² ha^-1 correspondingly. Diversity index and species richness were highest for inner undisturbed site III. Distribution pattern of various growth forms showed mostly the contagious distribution. Population structure of common trees showed poor regeneration and a nonlinear reduction in girth distribution pattern with increasing diameter classes. Mostly forage grasses were found in open forest (site I) whereas ground flora mainly consisted of medicinal herbs in the undisturbed dense forest (site III).

Keywords

Community Structure, Diversity, Moist Deciduous Forest, Tikri, Gonda District,
Uttar Pradesh

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Bajrang Singh , K. P. Tripathi

Abstract

Monthly variation in nutrient concentrations of leaf and current twigs was observed in 5-yearold Populus deltoides trees planted at Lucknow. Leaves appeared to be more sensitive indicator for all nutrient elements consisting of a relatively high concentration in comparison to twigs. The magnitude of nutrient status was in the order of N > Ca > K > Mg > Na > P> Fe. The levels of N, P and K decreased in the different ways as the season's growth proceeds. In contrast, the concentrations of Ca and Mg increased slightly with fluctuations expressing a polynomial order with the advancement in growing season. Na concentration increased to some extent whereas Fe decreased during the life span of the leaves on the trees from May to December. Nutrient concentration in the twigs remained almost stable except P and Fe, which varied according to foliage concentrations following similar trend during annual cycle. The appropriate time of the sampling was identified in August for the diagnosis of the nutrient status of the stand when all the essential elements remained fairly stable during the season's growth of the plants. Maximum retranslocation was recorded for N (60%), whereas minimum for Mg content (9%) at the termination of growing season.

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Bajrang Singh , V. K. Garg , P. K. Singh , K. P. Tripathi

Abstract

New forests created on sodic wastelands, consisting of different community structure ameliorate the soil at various degrees according to productivity and diversity status. Three such forested sites were selected at Banthra Research Station of National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India with different productivity and diversity indices descending from site I (S₁) to III (S₃), which were compared with a control (non forested) sodic soil site. Importance value index (IVI) decreased from 320 to 150 from site I to III. Shannon-Wiener's general diversity index was greatest in site I (1.85) and lowest in site III (1.37). Population density, basal area and biomass also declined accordingly. Dominant genera in these Forest stands were Acacia, Albizia, Dalbergia, Terminalia, Bauhinia and Syzygium whereas grasses/forbs viz.Sporobolus, Desmostachya and Dactyloctenium were common on barren sodic land. A remarkable reduction in soil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (67-73%) was noticed in afforested sites compared to the control as a result of combined effect of increased diversity and productivity. Individual effects of diversity or productivity were measured as 42% and 58%, respectively in soil amelioration. The soil fertility increased 2 to 3 times in organic carbon and 2.7 to 3.7 times in total nitrogen content on afforested sites. However, these improvements were greatest in surface soil (0.15 m) for C and N (68 & 73%) in comparison to lower depths (51 & 65%). Among the exchangeable cations, Na⁺ reduced by 41-57% from the control in afforested sites (I and II) while Ca⁺⁺ content increased of 38-68% in these sites. In general, available Zn, Fe and Mn contents increased in forested sites I and II whereas Cu decreased significantly in site II but remains at par on site I from the control. A rapid ch!lnge in soil properties occurred on surface soil even on poor afforested site while the rate of improvement at depths below 0.3 m depicted a slow amelioration process. A combined effect of both biomass productivity and species diversity of about 92% ameliorated the soil more significantly instead of individual factors, which should be taken into account for the rehabilitation of such sodic soil sites.

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Bajrang Singh , H. M. Behl

Abstract

Experimental plantations of 3 clones of Populus deltoides (G3, G48 and D121) were evaluated in high density short rotation (4 yrs.) energy plantation (HDSREP) and conventional agroforestry plantations (AFP) of lO-yrs rotation on marginal lands. Clone D121, which was found better in HDSREP did not perform well in AFP trial. Whereas, clone G3 and G48, produced almost compatible biomass at 4 yrs and 8 yrs in these 2 sets of plantations. Proportions of stem biomass decreased with age. Nutrient accumulation was relatively high in G3 and D121 clones. Clone G48 has accumulated lowest N content in biomass and therefore appears to be better in nitrogen use efficiency. There are ample scope of Poplar cultivation on marginal lands of Gangetic plains to ensure some additional benefits either in HDSREP or in AFP over the slow growing indigenous trees. However, it is recommended in secondary plantation programmes to support and sustain the fast growth of this species. At first instance, abandoned marginal lands must be ameliorated substantially through the primary land use systems preferably with indigenous leguminous species. Therefore, cultivation of Poplar may be carried out to utilize such lands more efficiently with the appropriate soil and water management practices. However, yields equivalent to Tarai region of U.P. can not be expected due to limitations of environmental conditions.

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K. P. Tripathi , Bajrang Singh

Abstract

A semi-natural forest developed on sodic wasteland during the last 40 years at Banthra Research Station of National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, was characterized as mixed dry subtropical forest with deciduous and evergreen species. The forest constituted about 74 species belonging to 35 families. These were classified in overstory (44), understory (19), ground layer (8) and climber (3). Several species of overstory were also found in understory and ground layer vegetation, which indicated the regeneration potential of a few species. In overstory vegetation Syzygium cumini, Bauhinia variegata, in understory Leucaena leucocephala, Barleria prionitis and in ground layer Clerodendrum vescosum had greatest abundance. The forest constituted about 30 m² ha^-1 basal area predominantly occupied by overstory trees. Three stands (S1, S2, S3) were selected on the basis of gross morphology. In S1 stand Bauhinia variegata and Albizia lebbek were most dominant species on the basis on IVI (41) and basal area (4.35 m² ha^-1), Leucaena leucocephala was the dominant species of understory on the basis of IVI (98). Barleria prionitis and Leucus biflora were dominating in ground layer with basal cover 1.94 and 0.7 m² ha^-1, and IVI 44, and 84. In S2 stand, Bauhinia variegata dominated with greatest IVI (65) in overstory vegetation, whereas Syzygium heyneanum had greatest basal area (6.6 m² ha^-1) with 64 IVI and it was also dominated in understory vegetation with maximum IVI (51). Barleria prionitis (IVI 124, basal cover 113.4 m² ha^-1) and Clerodendrum vescosum (IVI 74, basal cover 108.4 m² ha^-1) were dominated in ground layer vegetation. In S3 stand Syzygium heyneanum were dominated in overstory and understory vegetation on the basis of IVI (60 and 51), but Albizia lebbek had greatest basal area (6.4 m² ha^-1) in overstory. Syzygium heyneanum also dominated in understory vegetation while Pedilanthus tithymaloides was most common in ground layer vegetation. Syzygium heyneanum had greatest population density (159 plant/ha) for overstory and 524 plant/ha for understory vegetation while in ground layer vegetation Clerodendrum vescosum was the most abundant species with 780 plants/ha.

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N. N. Gautam , Kripal Singh , Bajrang Singh , V. L. Goel , T. S. Rahi

Abstract

The study was a part of biomass research programme on selection and improvement of fast growing leguminous tree species suitable for short rotation bio-energy plantations on sodic soil sites (pH 8.6 to 10.5). It included selection of promising seed sources and plus trees followed by cloning of selected coppiced trees in Leucaena leucocephala (K8 variety) for high biomass productivity on sodic soils. Evaluation of field performance of five seed sources revealed best performance of plants in Madurai seed source after 3-year of growth while plants of Oxford seed source showed poor performance as compared to plants of other seed sources investigated during present study. Intra-specific variations were observed at individual tree level in an even aged 8-yr-old population. Several plus trees (30) were identified on the basis of phenotypic superiority in plant height, trunk thickness and biomass productivity. Successful populations (gene pools) and individual plus trees were multiplied vegetatively using coppice shoots and conserved as a future resource for production of site adapted quality germplasm for plantations on sodic wastelands. The study would help in establishing site adapted germplasm for optimizing gains in future afforestation programmes on degraded forest and community lands.

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Bajrang Singh , S. S. Ramam

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to determine the quantity of litter accumulated on the floor of Pinus patula plantations in Darjeeling Himalayas (West Bengal). This study reveals that the density and age of the forest influence greatly the litter accumulation. The thick litter layer, up to to cm in oldest stand (34 years), was differentiated into litter proper and duff. It is a characteristic of humid temperate climate. The litter layer covers the mineral soil as a compact mat af organic matter. Decomposition proceeds in this layer and nutrient intake occurS ill the soil. Thus litter layer becomes much important in the overall nutrient regime of the woodland ecosystem. Ash, Ca, K, N, P and other elements were estimated in the litter of 6 different aged stands and discussed with findings of the other workers_ Emphasis Was given on the nitrogen status since tbe litter is used as natural fertilizer for tbe crops of Darjeeling .

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Bajrang Singh , S. S. Raman

Abstract

Physical and chemical properties of three soil profile were studied under the Pinus patula plantations of eastern Himalayas. Interrelationships of these soil proflies have been discussed and compared to that of Western and Central Himalayas. It has been tried to find out that how leaching proceeds in the process of getting maturity of soil profiles as the forest becomes old. Attempts Were made to classify the soil type of this region. In short the soil is brown in colour with sandy loam texture which undergoes in the process of podsolizatlon. It is also called Inceptisol which shows little evidence of eluviation and illuviation. Organic matter decompose slowly due to the cool and humid climate. This results relatively higher (38.31) Carbon-nitrogen ratio. Effect or forest cover on soil properties shows that Pinus patula soils are poor in mineral concentrations.

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K. P. Tripathi , Bajrang Singh

Abstract

A forest ecosystem was developed on barren sodic land at Bantbra Research Station of National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India during 1960s. About 74 species belonging to 34 families were recorded in this new forest, which was characterized as mixed dry sub-tropical forest with deciduous and evergreen species. The forest was classified into overstory, understory and ground layer vegetation based on the morphological variation and vertical strata of the vegetation. Frequency, density, abundance and basal area were evaluated for each species and dominants were assorted on the basis of basal area and Importance Value Index. Shannon Wiener's diversity index measured as 3.6, 3.3, and 1.8 for overstory, understory and ground layer vegetation, respectively. Forest biomass (dry weight) was estimated to be 347 Mg ha^-1 with a net primary production of25 Mg ha^-1 yr^-1 at the age of 40 years. Forest sequestered about 168 Mg ha^-1 carbon content in their standing biomass with current accumulation rate of 11 Mg ha^-1 yr^-1 and conserved 8.9 TJ ha^-1 energy in their standing stock. Annual energy fixation was estimated to 644 GJ ha^-1. Nutrient pool and fluxes in the forest were also determined. Further, the role of litter and fine ischolar_mains in reclamation of sodic soil was quantified.

Keywords

Reclamation, Ecorestoration, Diversity Index, Importance Value Index, Nutrient Content And Soil Amelioration.

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